I've all but lived in classrooms these past few weeks
Every morning, a different school. Tiny chairs, big questions, and rooms full of four to seven year olds who continually surprise me with how quickly they understand the choices underneath money.
They learn one habit — the Money Tap: two taps on the wrist, a pause, then a simple question, "do I need it, or do I want it?" And one gentle rule: save some, spend some, share some if you can. That's it. It's small enough for a four-year-old to actually do, and it sticks.
One child chose to wait a whole week before buying a toy on holiday. A class taught "needs and wants" back to me in assembly. That is what it looks like when it lands.
We start at four, not fourteen, because by seven many of the foundations beneath later financial behaviour are already developing (Cambridge University research for the Money Advice Service). Leave it until secondary and children may have rehearsed some of those patterns for years.
What it gives these children is not a test score. It is calm, confident, everyday conversations about money — started early, with no worry attached.
— Nathan Waldron, Founder